Aftermath

[Ramona's POV]


As the morning sun ascended higher in the sky, the villagers gradually emerged from their homes, prepared to embrace the day that lay ahead. The scent of freshly brewed tea permeated the air, accompanied by the sounds of vendors enthusiastically promoting their goods in the village square.


Amidst the bustling crowd, Sandra, a middle-aged woman, positioned herself behind her vibrant cart adorned with an assortment of colorful fruits and vegetables. With her experienced hands, she skillfully arranged the produce, showcasing their freshness and superior quality. Sandra had earned a reputation throughout the village for her impeccable taste and unwavering commitment to providing the best for her customers.


The villagers eagerly flocked to her cart, seeking to acquire the finest ingredients for their meals. Sandra warmly greeted each customer with a genuine smile, her eyes sparkling with joy.


Adjacent to Sandra's cart, Liam, an elderly man, established his shop, 'Zen Wellness Center,' filled with an array of aromatic spices and herbs. Possessing a wealth of knowledge about the healing properties of various ailments, Liam was considered a wise old soul. He frequently engaged his customers in lively conversations, sharing his wisdom and recounting tales from his travels.


As the villagers explored his shop, they were overwhelmed by the strange aroma of his herbs and plants. They were amazed by the vibrant colors and textures, knowing that each ingredient had the power to heal any type of illness. His passion for his field was infectious, and his customers left his shop with great hope for their treatments.


Liam sat in the small room of his medical shop, surrounded by a group of curious children and elders who were eager to hear one of his captivating tales. With a warm smile, he started to tell a story about a mythical creature known as the Jingwei.


'According to the legend, there was an emperor named Yan who had a daughter named Nuwa. Yan was responsible for overseeing the East China Sea's rising sun and its healing properties. Every morning, he would go there to attend to his duties. However, Nuwa longed to spend time with her father and witness the beauty of the rising sun.


Unfortunately, Yan was always occupied with his other responsibilities and couldn't fulfill Nuwa's wish. One day, Nuwa decided to go to the East China Sea on her own to experience the sunrise. Tragically, a sudden storm caused her boat to capsize, and she was swept away by the waves. Although Emperor Yan was aware of her situation, he couldn't use any medicine to bring her back to life. After her death, Nuwa transformed into a bird with a flower-shaped head, a white beak, and red claws on its feet.


Determined to prevent others from suffering the same fate, Nuwa resolved to fill the East China Sea with twigs and pebbles. Every day, she would carry these items in her beak and drop them into the sea, hoping to eventually fill it up. The Eastern sea mocked her, saying that she was incapable of achieving her goal and that it would take a million years to accomplish it.


However, Jingwei, being strong-willed, responded, "I am willing to spend ten million years filling up the sea if it means preventing others from experiencing the same tragedy like I did." '


"Then what happened next, uncle?" asked the child innocently.


"In response, the other child said, 'Well, would the bird still be flying?' 'Is such a big sea also filled with birds throwing pebbles or twigs?'"


Upon hearing this, Liam laughed and lovingly patted the child's head, saying, "In the race between the tortoise and the hare, the tortoise wins. Whether it's a competition between the slow and agile or the smaller and bigger in body, if it's done with hard work, it will surely bring success."


"So that means the Jingwei birds won?" asked the first child in surprise.


"Yes, she won after all these years of hard work," Liam replied. "Undeterred by the mockery of the Eastern sea, she continued her mission day after day. She tirelessly flew back and forth, collecting twigs and pebbles from the nearby mountains and dropping them into the vast expanse of the sea."


Liam continued his story, captivating the children with his words. "The sea, once boundless and endless, slowly began to fill up with twigs and pebbles. The shoreline expanded, and new land emerged where there was once only water."


As the children leaned in closer, their eyes wide with anticipation, one of them asked, "New land? Does that mean a new country?" The second child asked in awe, "But who lives there?" Another child couldn't contain their curiosity and asked a question.


Liam smiled and said, "However, according to some legends, it was not the Jingwei bird that caused this transformation. It is said that seven powerful dark forces cast a spell to reshape the world."


The children gasped in awe, their imaginations running wild with possibilities. "Seven dark forces? What are they?" one of the children asked.


Liam smiled, enjoying their excitement, and continued, "The Seven dark forces were a mysterious Werewolf who existed in seven different forms. He was feared and respected by all who knew of his existence. He possessed unimaginable powers, capable of bending the elements to his will."


"Why would he change the sea into land?" asked one curious child.


Liam paused, his eyes shimmering with a touch of mystery. "Ah, that is the question that has puzzled many for generations," he responded. "Some believe the Seven dark forces were driven by a desire for control, seeking to reshape the world according to their own vision. Others think he was protecting something hidden beneath the depths of the ocean, something so precious that it needed to be safeguarded."


The children exchanged intrigued glances, their young minds eager to uncover the secrets concealed within Liam's story. "Can we see that werewolf?" one of the children inquired.


"No, you cannot see him," Liam replied, sensing their curiosity. His voice lowered to a hushed tone as he continued, "Because that Werewolf never emerges from his lair. He always travels in the form of seven black smokes."


"In the form of Seven Black Smoke?" a child exclaimed in surprise. "Then it must be very difficult to capture him."


"Yes, it is difficult, but not impossible," Liam replied, touching his head. As he reached the climax of his story, the children held their breath, their hearts pounding with anticipation. They were completely captivated, hanging onto every word, eager to know how the tale would unfold.


"How is it not impossible?" the child asked, unable to contain his excitement.


Liam smiled, mischief twinkling in his eyes. "Ah, my young dear listeners, that is a story for another day," he replied, leaving everyone in suspense. Their imaginations ran wild with the possibilities of what lay ahead in the mysterious tale Liam had hinted at. Excited glances were exchanged among them, their hearts pounding with anticipation. They had always admired Liam's storytelling skills, and they knew that whatever story he had in store for them would be extraordinary.


All the children started running outside, shouting and the elders resumed their works. Liam turned back to his medicine shelf, shaking his head happily as he watched them go.


"Uncle, pack medicine for mother," a young women's voice called out.


"Oh! ho! ho! ho! Annalisa, you're still here? I didn't notice," Liam said as he hurried towards her. "I'll make the potion now."


He begins the careful preparation of a packet of powdered medicine for liver diseases. The first plant he selects is Milk Thistle, which is well-known for its ability to protect and regenerate liver cells.


Next, he adds the roots and leaves of Dandelion to the mixture. To enhance the medicinal properties of the powder, he includes Schisandra, a vine that bears berries and is known for its adaptogenic qualities. Another crucial ingredient he adds to the medicine is Curcuma longa. Lastly, he adds the roots of Licorice to the blend.


"Remember, Annalisa, herbal medicines can be highly concentrated, so it is important to dilute them properly," Liam continues, his voice filled with concern. "Ensure that your dad gives your mom plenty of water to drink after taking the medicine. This will help dilute its effects and reduce the chances of any adverse reactions."


Annalisa listens attentively, realizing the importance of this precaution. She makes a mental note to remind her father to keep her mother hydrated throughout the day.


"Make sure your mom takes only the prescribed amount of medicine," Liam advises. "More is not always better when it comes to herbal remedies. Stick to the instructions, as the dosage has been carefully calculated based on your mother's condition."


Annalisa nodded, understanding that exceeding the recommended dosage could lead to unwanted complications. It had been several years since her mother started taking these medicines, so she knew that herbal medicines, although natural, could still interact with other medications or have adverse effects if taken excessively. Annalisa made a mental note to closely monitor her mother's intake and ensure she strictly followed the prescribed dosage.


Lastly, Liam reminded Annalisa, "Keep an eye out for any unusual symptoms or reactions," he said. "If your mother experiences anything out of the ordinary, immediately consult me. It's better to be safe than sorry." Liam instructed her, and sealed the medicine pack, Annalisa left, shaking her head.